will i actually be able to teach with my MSN?

BeenThereDoneThat74, MSN, RN · Jan 22, 2013

Most faculty start out as adjunct clinical instructors. i know, in the schools I've taught in, this tends to be the trend (not always though; they may take a chance on a newby as a full time professor). I do not have my doctorate yet (haven't even started), and have been teaching for 8 years. I have worked in AS programs (adjuncted in a BSN program for a short time). It all depends on supply and demand, who you know, and being in the right place at the right time.

Some schools also have a non-tenure track for those without a doctorate. Sometimes they are more clinically-oriented, but it's a start. It gives you time to see if this is really what you want to do, and to figure out what your doctoral track will be.

Lecturing is not all its cracked up to be anyway Clinical is really where the learning tkaes place. Lab is fun too.

cortneyrileyRN · Jan 22, 2013

Thank you for your insight :)

elkpark · Jan 22, 2013

Different schools have different approaches to faculty. CC programs tend to be majority MSN-prepared instructors; some BSN programs have all doctorally-prepared faculty, but some have have a combination of MSN-prepared and doctorally-prepared faculty. At the last university program in which I taught, the graduate program was staffed with all doctorally-prepared faculty and the BSN program was taught almost entirely by MSN-prepared faculty (by design).

And the variety of options you have when you graduate will largely be a matter of how willing you are to relocate. If you are willing to go anywhere for a desirable job, you will obviously have a larger number of possibilities than if you are locked into your current location.

Best wishes!

SRDAVIS · Feb 28, 2013

I taught in a LPN program with my BSN and now teach in a diploma program with my MSN. Since completing my masters I have had 3 schools reach out for teaching opportunities. So it's possible, I agree with the supply and demand, experience is helpful too. Good luck

NurseLatteDNP, MSN, DNP, RN · Mar 1, 2013

I agree with everything that was said before me about a Master's, but I want to add that you don't have to go for a PhD. Most schools that require a doctorate for the tenure, will accept a DNP. I know from personal experience.

DNP is changing. It used to be just for NPs, but some schools have added executive leadership route indeed of the clinical route to their DNP (Texas Tech University). And it takes less credit hours to get than a PhD. I am currently enrolled.

Entravel · Apr 29, 2013

Very insightful post. I too am currently enrolled in an RN-MSNed program and was concerned about my possibilites in teaching down the road. So this is a very encouraging post. I also am happy to hear that if pursuing a Doctorate degree in my future is a goal then I can have the possibility of getting a DNP instead of a PhD. I personally am more interested in how to apply research into practice. So getting a DNP in the future would be a better option for me to advance my studies in academia.